Empower teachers to discipline, educate students who make mistakes

In a recent Facebook post, Education Minister Ong Ye Kung criticised a group of students at Mee Toh School for bullying their classmate.

The school later said the students had been counselled and disciplined. The Ministry of Education added that bullying in all forms is wrong and schools take a strong stand against it.  

Mr Ong’s admonishment was much-needed, and indeed, bullying should not be condoned in schools.

But we, as a society, must shoulder some blame for such misbehaviour because many of us are unwilling to give teachers enough autonomy to enforce discipline as they deem fit, which was the case in the past. As such, teachers’ hands are tied.

They run the risk of jeopardising their careers if they offend parents, especially those who disagree with their disciplinary methods.  

It does not help that teachers have limited authority when it comes to disciplining students.

The situation is exacerbated by entitled parents who believe that their children are flawless and cannot be admonished for their mistakes. These children grow up spoilt.

Teachers are now stuck between a rock and a hard place. They need to be empowered to educate and discipline students — within acceptable limits — when they make mistakes. 

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